Dorothy Tree American actress, speech teacher and writer Date of Birth: 21.05.1906 Country: USA

1. A Theatrical Journey
2. Broadway Debut and Early Film Appearances
3. Growing Roles on Screen
4. Marriage and Hollywood Blacklist
5. A Second Act: Teaching and Writing
6. Legacy

A Theatrical Journey

Dorothy Tree was born Dorothy Triebitz in 1906 in Brooklyn, New York. The eldest of three daughters to Austrian immigrants, Herman Triebitz and Bertha Hert, she pursued education at Cornell University before embarking on a stage career under the pseudonym Dorothy Tree.

Broadway Debut and Early Film Appearances

In 1926, Tree made her theatrical debut in "The Triumphant Bachelor." She continued her Broadway appearances throughout the late 1920s in productions such as "The Marquise" and "Holiday." Concurrently, she received small roles in films, including an uncredited appearance in "It" (1927).

Growing Roles on Screen

In the 1930s, Tree's film roles became more substantial. She played supporting roles in "Here Comes the Navy" (1934), "The Woman in Red" (1935), and "Four Hours to Kill!" (1935). She also returned to Broadway in "The Merchant of Venice" (1930) and appeared in "Clear All Wires" (1932) and "Bright Honor" (1936).

Marriage and Hollywood Blacklist

In 1943, Tree married screenwriter and director Michael Uris. The couple had one son, Joseph. During the Hollywood blacklist era of the early 1950s, Tree and Uris were suspected of communist sympathies and blacklisted. This effectively ended Tree's career as an actress.

A Second Act: Teaching and Writing

Following her blacklist suspension, Tree transitioned to teaching voice and diction. She became a sought-after instructor at the Manhattan School of Music, Metropolitan Opera, and Mannes College of Music. Her expertise was recognized in a 1956 New York Times article.

Tree also authored four books on speech and diction: "Everybody's Book of Better Speaking" (1960), "To Sing in English" (1971), "A Woman's Voice" (1975), and "Say it Again" (1979).

Legacy

Dorothy Tree passed away in 1992 at the age of 85. She left behind a legacy as an accomplished actress, teacher, and author who dedicated her life to fostering confident and expressive communication.